Cup exit another blow for Kaizer Chiefs

SOWETO, South Africa, Oct 26, 2014 (AFP) – A bad week for South African football giants Kaizer Chiefs was completed Sunday when they were eliminated from the League Cup by title-holders Platinum Stars.

Lucky to force a 0-0 draw after extra time, Platinum caused the shock of the quarter-finals by winning 5-3 on penalties to deliver a second blow to Chiefs within five days.

After 13 consecutive league and cup victories since the season kicked off two months ago, the Soweto side were surprisingly held 1-1 by struggling Moroka Swallows in the championship last Wednesday.

Chiefs had several chances to see off Platinum in regular time on the pitch where Spain defeated the Netherlands 1-0 to win the 2010 World Cup.

Zimbabwean Kingston Nkhatha and Bernard Parker were the chief culprits as their team sought a fourth consecutive win over Stars this season.

Nkhatha should have scored midway through the second half, but his point-blank header flew over with only goalkeeper Siyabonga Mpontshane to beat.

Injury-prone Parker, the leading league scorer last season, squandered a good chance just before half-time with a tame close-range shot.

Platinum, who have been in poor league form, converted their five penalties while Chiefs’ fourth, taken by substitute George Lebese, was saved.

Next up for Chiefs is a November 1 league showdown with arch rivals Orlando Pirates, a fixture certain to fill the 90,000-seat Soccer City.

Success for Platinum secured a home semi-final against Mamelodi Sundowns while Pirates host SuperSport United.

Pirates were the most impressive quarter-finals winners, walloping Ajax Cape Town 4-1 at rain-drenched Orlando Stadium in Soweto.

SuperSport continued a revival under recently sacked South Africa coach Gordon Igesund by defeating Wits University 2-1 in Johannesburg and Sundowns needed extra time to overcome AmaZulu 2-1 in Pretoria.

Defenders Happy Jele and Siyabonga Sangweni headed goals off corners to earn Pirates a two-goal half-time advantage as a downpour littered the pitch with puddles.

Lehlohonolo Majoro added a third goal just after the break and after Thabiso Nkoana gave Ajax a glimmer of hope by converting a penalty, Oupa Manyisa scored to put the result beyond doubt.

Pirates displayed a greater desire to win from the kick-off after Serb coach Vladimir Vermezovic axed five of the side that suffered surprise midweek league loss at Mpumalanga Black Aces.

SuperSport were ahead within 90 seconds through Togolese Dove Wome, Zambian Christopher Katongo equalised for Wits, and Lebogang Manyama struck the second-half winner.

Zimbabwean Cuthbert Malajila gave Sundowns an early lead they held until Bongani Ndulula equalised four minutes into stoppage time.

Hlompho Kekana, scorer of several memorable long-range goals, rescued the home side on 106 minutes with a low drive into the corner for an unimpressive win. – Nampa-AFP